Just Two Minutes: The Harsh Truths About Owning a Dental Office

Bite-sized dental wisdom in under 2 minutes.

Owning a dental office sounds great, right? Freedom, autonomy, financial success—it’s the dream. But here’s the reality check: owning is hard, messy, and sometimes downright painful. There are no shortcuts, no cheat codes, and no magic wands. Just hard work, tough decisions, and a whole lot of learning the hard way.

If you’re thinking about owning—or if you’re in it and wondering why it feels so brutal—let me lay out some truths nobody likes to talk about:

1. You Will Make Wrong Decisions—It’s Inevitable.

And that’s okay. Mistakes are part of the process, not proof you’re failing. The key is to actually learn from them. I’ve made my fair share of bad calls—hiring someone who looked great on paper, overspending on something shiny that didn’t matter, and a few “what was I thinking” moments I’d rather forget. The difference between owners who thrive and those who don’t? Learning, pivoting, and moving forward.

2. You’ll Have to Make Decisions Without All the Data.

Perfectionists, this one’s for you: you’ll never have all the information you want before making a choice. Waiting too long to decide can be worse than making the wrong decision. The good news? You don’t need perfect data—you just need enough to make an informed move. And if it doesn’t work? See rule #1.

3. Managing People is the Hardest Part.

Hiring and firing? Absolutely the worst. You’ll hire people who seemed great and turned out to be disasters. You’ll agonize over firing someone because it feels awful, even when you know it’s necessary. And here’s the kicker: it takes forever to get good at it. The skill to hire the right person and know exactly when to cut ties doesn’t come easy. But it’s worth every second you spend improving it.

4. Doing Your Own Prophys Isn’t the End of the World.

Yes, you’re the boss, but sometimes you’ll be cleaning teeth when you’d rather be anywhere else. The secret? Use it as your mental reset. Plan dinner, think about your next vacation, or just enjoy the quiet rhythm. Prophy time is still productive—it’s just not in the way you thought.

5. Take Absolute Control Over What Matters Most.

For me, that was the finances. No one else got to fully handle the money—not even my accountant. Sure, my front office managed A/R and collections, and my accountant provided monthly KPIs, but I always knew exactly where every dollar was going. That meant creating systems for checks (cheques, for my Canadian friends), cash, and credit card payments. Why? Because embezzlement wasn’t about to be my story. Whatever matters most to you—whether it’s your numbers, your reputation, or your culture—own it completely.

6. It’s a Rollercoaster.

The highs are incredible. The lows can knock the wind out of you. Sometimes, you’ll experience both in the same day. If you can’t handle instability, ownership might not be for you. But if you can ride the ups and downs and keep showing up, the payoff is worth it.

Here’s the Bottom Line:
Owning a dental office isn’t glamorous. It’s not the “easy money” career move some people think it is. It’s a grind, and it’ll test you constantly. But if you can push through the tough days, learn from your mistakes, and adapt when needed, it’s one of the most rewarding paths you can take. Just don’t expect it to feel easy—and definitely don’t expect it to look like Instagram.

-Dr. Alex

P.S. If someone told you owning a dental office would be smooth sailing, they were either lying or trying to sell you something. It’s a grind—but the view from the top is worth it.